Former River City Extension frontman Joe Michelini’s latest slew of songs is a vibrant tribute to Americana-infused indie rock, romance, and self-determination.

Opening with the effervescent sound of “Soot,” Amuse-oreille, Vol. 1 seduces its listener via visceral guitar licks, yearning, melodic vocals, and straight-forward lyricism. As Michelini and Hemming’s Candice Martello croon, “Things get rough when you don’t know who you are”; American Trappist’s audience is reminded just how vital honesty is, not only with others, but with yourself as well. “Soot” is an homage to self-discovery and the trials and triumphs that go hand in hand with embracing your inner truth. Like early aughts Drug Rug meets The Babies’ Our House on the Hill, the sonic energy of it smolders, with each line reaffirming the track’s pathos with urgency.

“Fear Nothing” gradually swells to a lush and rhythmic ode to the joy that can be found in uncertainty on the brink of new beginnings. Adequately titled, the EP’s second offering is an uplifting, yet practical anthem that urges listeners to seize the day. Giving way to the bouncing keys of “Heaven,” Michelini builds the tale gradually, before it tears away at the seams with distorted riffs and reverb that eventually disintegrate into “Fireworks.” Channeling his inner Springsteen and Walt Whitman, the artist shares what feels like a love song, penned specifically for our beloved Philadelphia. Vibrant, catchy, and the perfect balance between innovation and nostalgia, “Fireworks” is a realist’s portrait of the contradictions, complexities, and brash beauty of the American Dream.

American Trappist’s songs are sincere, subtly sentimental (in a good way), and absolutely memorable. Amuse-oreille, Vol. 1 will fill your heart with warmth and light as fall gives way to winter. – Dianca London

Langhorne Slim, one of Nashville's leading folk artists, is releasing a horror film-themed video for his song "Zombie" just in time to satisfy your macabre desires on Halloween night. This silly love song for the undead is accompanied by a video featuring references to Horror classics from Psycho to Silence of the Lambs to Michael Jackson's "Thriller". Be sure to share the video with your costumed compadres tonight, and catch Langhorne Slim live at Grimey's on November 10th! - Chris Thiessen

Orindal Records will be releasing Friendship's new album, Shock Out Of Season, on November 3; however, one can sample it early - courtesy of HyperMachine. A continuous flow of introspective, lyrical assessments loosely travels on a road paved with the timely tap and twinkle of percussion and synth, forging both unity and space. A serene sense of progress pushes these compositions forward, without abandoning the earnest imagery that serves as its foundation. Friendship and Power Animal will be co-headlining a dual record release show, supported by Tall Friend and Free Cake For Every Creature, on Friday, November 17 at Everybody Hits. (Photo by Abi Reimold)

Sweet Cream is a band that sits comfortably in their genre. Namely, classic rock, though with a hint of country, and a few mingling folksy harmonies. "No Light Light" has a self-aware, sultry darkness to it, bringing out slick guitar fills from within the crevices of the arrangement. The band might not be breaking down walls, but their music approaches every aspect of classic rock with taste and nuance - Sweet Cream are certainly carving their name into the plaster. Catch them live at Mercury Lounge with The Wild Reeds on November 13th. -Geena Kloeppel

&lt;a href="http://sweetcream.bandcamp.com/album/no-light-light-i-dont-see-it-that-way"&gt;No Light Light / I Don&amp;#39;t See It That Way by Sweet Cream&lt;/a&gt;

It's easy to get lost in the day to day hustle, grinding your way through the work day, getting caught up in petty squabbles, forgetting that this city is filled with millions of complex human beings each with their own hopes and aspirations. It's this more soulful side of working drudgery that Cuchulain Kelly touches on in the music video for the song "Torn In Two". Using a company meeting about "quarterly revenues" as its backdrop, the video shows us Kelly expressing his inner frustrations to his co-workers, only to be shown the door. Of course we can all relate to the struggles of the Kelly in the video, doing the daily grind while suppressing the desire to grapple with and openly express our internal conflicts.

All in all a charming song gleaned from the trials and tribulations of DC's buttoned down culture.

The Deli Magazine was born in NYC's Attorney Street in 2004, in the shape of a print issue with a then unknown band on its cover, called Grizzly Bear. Ths NYC blog came in 2005, then the SF one in 2006, and then 9 more in the following years. The Deli is focused on the coverage of emerging bands and solo artists with a 100% local focus - no exceptions!